Government must take opportunity to fund Gospel Oak-Barking electrification

The London Assembly’s Transport Committee has heard from Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, about the next opportunity for funding the electrification of the Gospel Oak-Barking line.

No details were provided in last month’s Budget, despite an announcement delivering £3 billion a year on infrastructure, but his letter suggests that the proposal may be reconsidered in the next spending round in June.

Caroline Pidgeon AM, Chair of the Transport Committee, said:

"We were disappointed when confirmation of funding for the Gospel Oak to Barking line electrification failed to materialise in the Budget, but are hopeful that the Government will choose to sanction these line improvements as a priority when it reviews the plans in June. Electrification will deliver huge benefits to both the local area and London as a whole, including improvements to the rail network connectivity and a reduced environmental impact.

“Full funding must be confirmed this year or, due to the impact of Crossrail’s construction, costs will rise far beyond the current estimates. Confirmation this year will mean this significant milestone for Britain’s rail infrastructure can go ahead without further delay or spiralling costs.”

In March, Caroline Pidgeon wrote to George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, to urge him to fund the proposed electrification of the Gospel Oak to Barking railway line in the Budget. Transport for London (TfL) has offered to contribute £25 million towards the estimated £90 million cost of the scheme and the electrification also has the full support of the Mayor, Transport for London (TfL), the rail industry and passenger groups.